Hostler

At least on the SP there was an interim step between fireman and engineer when a fireman qualified as a hostler. I seem to remember there were "inside" and "outside" hostlers. There was a written exam for hostler, with qualification presumably subject to review and approval by the road foreman. I have no idea if the position still exists, but back in the old days an inside hostler would move engines around the roundhouse and shop area. An outside hostler could move light engines between various locations within a terminal, including mainline movements that were within yard limits. For example, in the San Francisco terminal an outside hostler could move engines between the roundhouse at Bayshore and the roundhouse at Mission Bay, a distance of some miles over double track mainline. A hostler was assisted by a hostler helper, much as an engineer is assisted by a fireman.

JBWX



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2010 10:59AM by John West.